Man (54) convicted of 23 sex offences against schoolgirl

A 54-YEAR-OLD man has been convicted of 23 offences of rape and indecent  against a young girl more than 30 years ago.

Martin Coles, of Highthorn Road, Kilnhurst, was found guilty today at Sheffield Crown Court of five counts of rape and 18 of indecent assault, all committed between 1977 and 1983.

His accuser, a 47-year-old woman who cannot be named for legal reasons, said Coles had begun abusing her when she was about five and he was a schoolboy.

After doing this a couple of times, he further sexually assaulted her, the woman said, and made her perform sex acts on him.

She told police she was left “disgusted” by the abuse.

Coles will be sentenced in April.

The NSPCC said afterwards: “Coles’ conviction should send a clear message to victims of child sexual abuse that no matter how much time has passed it is vitally important they have the courage to come forward so abusers can be brought to justice and survivors can finally receive help and support.

“Coles was a school boy when he committed these disturbing attacks on a young child and we know that a third of all child sexual offences are committed by children. 

“It is vital that those who commit these offences are helped to address their sexually harmful behaviour and thereby reduce the number of victims. 

“The NSPCC's Turn the Page programme works directly with children who are exhibiting sexually harmful behaviour to stop it developing further.”